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Minnesota Valley Gem and Mineral Club

The Minnesota Valley Gem and Mineral Club was formed in February of 1957, By a small group of local people (10) who were interested in Gems and Minerals.

The constitution was the first item of business. Dues were set at $1.00 per year. Meetings were held on the last Wednesday of all months except June, July, and August. The meetings were held in members’ homes with coffee and cookies served each time.

During the first meetings, terminology such as: hardness, cleavage, color, fractures, crystallization, etc were discussed. Members always brought “bragging rocks” to show and tell. As membership increased, the programs included stone identification, locations to hunt these rocks, and how to cut and polish agate and other stones for display or jewelry.

Field Trips to hunt for agates, geodes, minerals, jaspers, etc. have always been planned in the summer months. Field Trips have been made to many areas in Minnesota as well as South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Amethyst Mine in Canada.

CLUB PROJECT EVOLVEMENT

The Minnesota Valley Gem and Mineral Club had it’s first Public Display Show in 1965. This Gem and Mineral Show was held at the Mankato High School, Now Mankato West High. In later years the Madison East Mall was the location of an annual show, with sales, each year in April. In 1966, Club Projects started to evolve.

THE SEPPMAN GRIST MILL

The Seppman Grist Mill was completed by our Club. Many members worked on this project.
The Mill Project is built to scale of the original Mill. It is 18 inches tall and displayed at the Historical Society in Mankato, MN. The project was finished in 2 years and placed on a 18 x 36 base, inside a Plexiglas case.

THE MINNESOTA GEM AND MINERAL CLUB

The Minnesota Gem and Mineral Club was incorporated in 1970.
Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s the Annual Gem and Mineral Shows were held at the Madison East Mall. Members and invited Dealers brought Special Displays for all to view.

February 2016 Newsletter

Minnesota Valley Gem and Mineral Club February Newsletter: Last month’s meeting was held in the Meeting room of the Eagles club in Mankato. The main topic of discussion was 2016 field trips. So far, there will be a field trip this spring to Judson Bottom Toad State park, and one this fall to Keokuk. A […]